Carolyn Sifton Research Grant

I became a nurse because I’ve always been drawn to helping others, especially those facing some of life’s hardest challenges. Early on, I saw how deeply addiction and mental health issues affected people I cared about, and I knew I wanted to be part of the solution. Nursing gave me the tools to support people not just physically, but emotionally and socially too. 

Over the years, I’ve worked in a variety of settings from hospitals to community clinics but my heart has always been in addiction and mental health care. I’ve had the chance to walk alongside people as they rebuild their lives, and that’s a privilege I never take for granted. 

Today, I’m a Nurse Practitioner and work to make care more accessible, compassionate, and evidence-based. I also use my own lived experience with recovery to help reduce stigma and show others that healing is possible. I’m involved in research, education, and policy efforts to improve how we support people with substance use concerns, especially in underserved communities. 

Receiving the Carolyn Sifton Research Grant means a lot to me. It supports my work to strengthen addiction care in Canada, and I’m excited to keep pushing for change—so more people can get the help they need, when and where they need it.